Suze
is used to trouble, but this time she's in deep: Ghostly Jesse has her
heart, but Paul Slater, a real flesh-and-blood guy, is warm for her
form. And mediator Paul knows how to send Jesse to the Great Beyond. For
good.

Paul claims he won't do anything to Jesse as long as Suze
will go out with him. Fearing she'll lose Jesse forever, Suze agrees.
But even if Suze can get Jesse to admit his true feelings for her, what
kind of future can she have with a guy who's already dead?

Review

This book stressed me out. That's not a bad thing, just a fact. The whole Paul story line makes me so anxious. And that's a good thing. I know how this series ultimately ends, but still get wrapped up in this story.

And there was finaly some real movement in the Jesse/Suze story line! It's a good thing these are fast-paced books, because the romance is so slow. It's not slow in a bad way, but the anticipation is killing me.

Shaw Landon loved Rule
Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a
straight--A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn't want--and the only
person she's never tried to please. She isn't afraid of his scary
piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule
is wrong for her, her heart just won't listen.

To a rebel like
Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead
twin brother's girl. She lives by other people's rules; he makes his
own. He doesn't have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she's the
only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt,
too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither
can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her
and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their
love . . . or each other.

Review

I know I'm not the first one ot bring this up, but why do people in New Adult books have such weird names? Is it like a rule? And I know I'm judging, but it is a little odd.

Moving on to the actual book.

This was OK but had some Beautiful Disaster vibes. But Rule and Shaw aren't nearly as co-dependent and dysfunctional. Rule felt a little one-dimensional. I believe this was Ms. Crownover's first book so it could be growing pains. Shaw was developed slightly better. And their romance was mildly interesting. It got better once Shaw wasn't only talking about how long she's been pining away for Rule. Now, I am not a fan of unrequited love so that could be a part of it.

My feelings on this really come down to personal preference. As I get older I'm less into the alpha males who are hyper-aggressive. It's often off-putting instead of attractive. But there are a lot of people who like it.

I am a little interested in the other guys, but I'm not dying to read them. It's kind of a "if I get to it-good, if I don't-still good" situation.

The Black Dagger
Brotherhood continues to train the best of the best to join them in the
deadly battle against the Lessening Society. Among the new recruits, Axe
proves to be a cunning and vicious fighter—and also a loner isolated
because of personal tragedy. When an aristocratic female needs a
bodyguard, Axe takes the job, though he’s unprepared for the animal
attraction that flares between him and the one he is sworn to protect.

For
Elise, who lost her first cousin to a grisly murder, Axe’s dangerous
appeal is enticing—and possibly a distraction from her grief. But as
they delve deeper into her cousin’s death, and their physical connection
grows into so much more, Axe fears that the secrets he keeps and his
tortured conscience will tear them apart.

Rhage, the Brother with
the biggest heart, knows all about self-punishing, and he wants to help
Axe reach his full potential. But when an unexpected arrival threatens
Rhage and Mary’s new family, he finds himself back in the trenches
again, fighting against a destiny that will destroy all he holds most
dear.

As Axe’s past becomes known, and fate seems to be turning
against Rhage, both males must reach deep—and pray that love, rather
than anger, will be their lantern in the darkness.

Review

This was a good book, but it let me down a little bit. The romance was rushed-which is normal for these books. I liked the characters-especially Elise. My main problem is that I cared more about the Rhage and Mary storyline than the Axe and Elise one. This should be about Axe and Elsie, in my opinion. The problem is that I've been wrapped up in Rhage and Mary's story for like 10+ books so it isn't hard to feel that way. I wasn't as emotionally invested in the romance between Elise and Axe. I'm glad they're happy and everything but it just didn't quite grip me.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real.

Review

I think this is my fourth Lauren Layne book and it might be my favorite. There's something in her books that are my catnip. And she has so many books which makes me happy. This one, in particular, reminds me of Julie James' FBI/US Attorney books, but without the suspense elements.

Penelope is a fantastic character. Authors often try to write an easy-going girl-next-door character, but they usually feel false or fall flat. She actually reminded me a lot of myself. She has these "woe is me" moments, but also knows she's doing it. She's actually very self-aware instead of self-deprecating like this type of character can be. And Penelope Pope is a badass name. My name is also alliterative so I may be a little biased.

Then, there's Cole. I really like Cole. He gives me that school-girl crush feeling. Now, he isn't as well-developed as Penelope but he is deeper than I initially thought he would be. And I really enjoyed his relationship with his brother. It would've been nice to spend more time with his brother. The author's note also made me feel like I have to get on reading the Stiletto books so I can see him before all this.

I loved the whole group of friends/couples. They are such great friends (men and women alike). And it made me want to read all their books whether they are before or after this one. So much sequel bait here.

The characters are stars, but we've gotta talk romance. There is an attraction/chemistry between Cole and Penelope, but this really feels more like a friends-to-lover story. I'm not always a fan of that trope, but it worked here. It made me really buy into them as a couple-probably because they talked instead of just banging like rabbits all the time.

I'm really happy to have read this and look forward to reading the other related books. Lauren Layne is a great writer.

As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others.

Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.

Review

That was a book! I have no idea how to review this but feel like I need to write something. This is often the issue for me when it comes to sci-fi and fantasy.

This book slowly and methodically made its way under my skin. I don't think that's ever happened before. But I got really invested in all these characters. I think it's because I was often confused. Ms. Bishop would slowly let out information so I just wanted to get more and more answers.

I'm still wrapping my head around the world, characters, and creatures. But I like that. Done well-like here-it creates a three-dimensional and realistic world.

I do want to talk about the "creatures." So many of them I've seen before, but they are just different enough. The Wolves are a perfect example of this. Oftentimes, they are romanticized. That's even made fun of in the story. But they are actually very animalistic and just because they can look like people doesn't mean they are humans. I appreciate this twist.

This "review" needs to end because it makes me want to read the next one and I'm on a waitlist for it!

Monday, July 3, 2017

June was quite the month. It was really slow at work, but my personal life was busier than normal. I also was dealing with a wrist injury and my migraines are back with a vengeance

. The weather in upstate New York has been crazy and I think that's why the migraines have been so bad.

I also got a New York Public Library card. If you are a resident of New York state you can get a card for the NYC public library system. This means I now have access to their digital collection via Overdrive. And they have a bunch of books my county library system doesn't have. So, I've read a lot this month, but most books have been from Overdrive not my physical TBR. But I'm OK with that.